Everton Confirm £28m Deal for Romelu Lukaku

Everton have confirmed the signing of Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea for £28m.

Lukaku, 21, spent last season on loan at Goodison Park where he scored 15 goals in 29 Premier League appearances to help the club seal a fifth-place finish.

The Belgian international will now return to the Toffees as the club's record signing after signing a five-year contrat at Goodison Park.

On Wednesday afternoon, Lukaku tweeted "time to write a new chapter" to spark speculation of an imminent deal.

Upon the confirmation of the transfer, he told the club's website: "I am really excited about rejoining Everton. I had a fantastic experience last season and a great relationship with the manager, the chairman, the staff, the players and the fans. I can't wait to get started again and I'm looking forward to a successful season."

Manager Roberto Martinez said: "We know that Romelu is still a young man and the potential that he has is quite unique, and we are desperate to see him enjoying his football and to watch him grow as footballer in the years to come.

"The arrival of Rom is more than just a signing, it's the fruition of a lot of hard work to get the player we wanted. This is a big moment for Everton's history and the perfect way of getting the squad ready for the start of the season."

After his excellent season on Merseyside last term – preceded by another successful spell at West Bromwich Albion during the 2012/13 season – Lukaku had hoped to force his way into Jose Mourinho's first-team plans upon his return to Stamford Bridge.

But following the signing of Diego Costa from Atletico Madrid and the return of Didier Drogba, it became clear the striker would not be in immediate contention for a starting berth in the coming season.

Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg and La Liga champions Atletico Madrid were also heavily linked with a move but all indications from the striker's camp suggested he was eager to remain in the Premier League.

Lukaku joined Chelsea in the summer of 2011 for a fee of £18m during Andre Villas-Boas' tenure. He started just four games for the Blues in his maiden season in England before spells away from the club at West Brom and Everton.